03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  Many female minions were naked or in otherwise see-through gowns offered refreshments to visitors to the grand palace.

  Ethan’s approach to a rather large table had four naked Succubae, five Siren in thin silks and two topless Lamia bowing on the ground. Kanade hid her annoyance at the scantily clad demons and also peered over the table.

  Little fruits or vegetables decorated the meat feast. Some was cooked and others raw. The vegetation that was there were strange and exotic, but Panther explained it was all edible and untainted. Fowl, mammals and what looked like some kind of alligator was all laid out. Organs, most freshly raw, seemed a delicacy and were diced by trained hands like a sushi chef. Lavish goblets were empty and would be filled by one of the women who poured wine or mead. And if one wanted truly fresh meat they had ripe Cultivated Humans hanging by shackles at their wrist on a nearby wall and were violent tempered to whomever they looked at. But as Ethan and the other’s overlooked the array both Panther and his Fist Mistress Sacnite sniffed everything, trying to detect any kind of poison or toxin. Nothing was amiss.

  Ethan pointed to one feisty and thickly muscled Cultivated Human to say “Cut him down.”

  “Right away, Your Majesty.” Said a Succubus between drink barrels, grabbing a knife off the table of the table and lowered the live meal.

  Hunger gnawed at Ethan ever since regaining his true powers and he rumbled as he scooped the grown human seemingly covered and wrapped in seaweed, took note of the cord at the lower spine cut not hours ago and set in on fire. Gaia taught how to notice freshness since she had no less than five a day. It fought as he broke the chains off, not screaming as it didn’t have any sense of pain and he cooked it till it stopped twitching. Soon after Ethan’s hunger took over and began devouring.

  “Hot damn! Tastes just like chicken!” Laughed Baldr as he ripped off a leg of the alligator thing. It had sixteen legs. He ate it like a drumstick.

  Kira took a piece too and bit into it and her eyes widened. “It does… and it’s not a play on words.”

  Kanade pointed to the nearest Lamia. “Prepare me a variety of cooked meats. I do not like raw or organ.”

  “Right away, First Mistress.” She slithered to the table and lifted a silver plate the size of a serving tray to select the choicest morsels before very slowly sliding her snake-like body towards the Six highly observant mistresses and handed it out to the Third and Fourth who sniffed it and held it up to Kanade.

  She didn’t take the tray as taught, but ate off it with an impassive expression, but inside she was excited as each meat was delicious. More than anticipated. As soon as she felt the food hit her taste buds her inner queasiness vanished.

  The five Seers held position impassively off to the side as Balam after Balam appeared from around the palace, taking position so none approached. If not for the great aura each tall feline expressed they wouldn’t have been noticed. More than half glowered at Ethan’s team, watching for the slightest threat to the prince.

  “Ethan-sama?” He turned, chewing the head as what remained and turned down to Kyoko. He never spoke with a full mouth so he knelt down so she could speak and listened. “May I please be excused to go to my vault where I stored the rest of my power?”

  He snapped his fingers to the woman in charge of dealing drinks and she hurriedly filled a golden chalice the size of a wine barrel filled it with honeyed mead and proved herself a Shaman as she levitated the drink to his hand. Panther gave a sniff in passing before Ethan washed his meal down and stood. His deep baritone carried in the relative silence. “Balam,” Ears perked. “Who among you guarded Zagan’s Second Mistress?” the hall quieted as none dared use the king’s name without reference to King, His Majesty or His Highness. None but Ethan.

  It seemed all Balam females were snow white or pale beige as nine came forth. Each one was less than Kanade’s Six, but together they were just as powerful. They lined up in front of him and knelt with heads bowed. From the corner of his eye he saw Panther almost unnoticeably nod that these were the ones and Kyoko likewise recognized them. The strongest and tallest female said “It was once our honor and duty to protect the king’s Second Mistress.”

  “For now you are returned to that duty as this is my Second Mistress, Kyoko Volorum. I will speak with the king to make sure it is legal your services fall to my women.”

  His pause allowed the one who spoke to say “The Master has already approved all Mistress protectors to assume our duty under you since he no longer has taken a mistress and has no use for us.”

  “Are all female Balam protectors of my females?”

  “Yes, Fire Prince. As it has been since the king took power. No male shall ever touch your women so that your offspring is positively yours. Males guard you, the king and the palace. Females guard mistresses first and the palace second.”

  “Then your duty has returned. Keep Kyoko safe.”

  “Many thanks.” She and the eight others surrounded Kyoko who split off to go to her vault. Dallare followed behind.

  “I didn’t know that, Darlin’. I sense millions of female Balam… have they been out of work this whole time?”

  “Seems that way.” He thought back as he picked up a funny looking fruit and bit into it. It crunched like a fresh apple, but tasted like pineapple.

  “Don’t get any funny ideas, Bucko. It’s my decision to bring more mistresses to bed and I’m not ready to have more right now. I won’t even know how I’ll react when I see her straddle you. I love her but all my instincts might fight me in doin’ so. I might have to be knocked out.”

  “One step at a time.” He took a drink. “Want a sip? It tastes like honeyed mead, but has a strange zing. As if lemons were cooked in too.”

  “I’d love a sip.” She took his huge chalice and sipped. “This is delicious.” She turned to the equivalent of a bartender. “Do you also brew beer?”

  “I’m afraid I do not know what beer is, My Lady.”

  The Shaman woman’s eyes widened as Kanade pushed a desire. “That is what the flavor is like. It is also carbonated and chilled like ice water, but has no ice. And make sure it isn’t skunky or else.”

  The woman bowed. “I will search and strive to make you this beer, but even if I find the flavor, it will take weeks to brew and distill.”

  “I will give you a month. If by that time you fail, you will be reassigned to privy cleaning for the reminder of your existence. If you do so before and contact me, you will be rewarded. You may leave to begin right away. Do not disappoint.”

  “By your will, First Mistress.” The Succubus’ round breasts bounced as she hurried away to either succeed or fail. Kanade hated giving ultimatums, but her station calls for it. The best she could do was give a full month and a memory of flavor as well as ingredients. Kanade loved her beer. It was one comfort she’d not give up.

  A Siren took her place preparing drinks. The rest of the team chose fresh water she collected off the cascading wall rain had streamed down. Alcohol impaired judgment. Surrounded by enemies was a bad idea to start drinking.

  Full stomachs made a world of difference. Kanade’s guards put the dirty dish on the table and then the chalice of mead the two of them polished off.

  To Panther Ethan said and pointed to the tall ceiling “It’ll take days to fly to meet Zagan. Is there a swifter way to meet him up there?”

  With but a thought the general summoned Palace Elves. Two taller than average males appeared out of nowhere kneeling deeply. “Two billion Palace Elves live in the palace full time, Master. For most it is the most efficient way. No one can use Translocation except them inside.”

  “Give me a cup… one their size.” Panther immediately handed him one and Ethan sliced a thumb on a horn. A small stream of boiling blood filled it before naturally clotting after a few moments. He handed the cup down, sucked on the wound and said “So that I can find and summon you whenever I need it, take my blood and spread it only to your brethren capable of moving freely within these
walls.”

  Each one barely collected a drop’s worth on a long fingernail and licked. From then on another loyal point of light came to life in the darkness. Adding to the already small collection. The one holding the cup vanished to fulfill the order and not a single drop was left when it was completed. Near a million new dots within the prince’s mind appeared in the abyss. It was a good start.

  “Now send us all to Zagan’s court or wherever he’s waiting on us at.”

  “At once, Fire Prince.” Everyone, including the five Seers, transferred from the main hall and appeared up inside a spacious anteroom. A large waiting area, even for the what was discovered thus far, was practically empty aside from a dozen rigid Balam warriors right up there in power with the general himself. They were little more than three inch figurines so far away at the twelve pointed room where they stood in a corner. But rather than being closed off in a dark, dank room, it was lit brilliantly with violet light coming from a fire laced with power that Ethan could scarcely quantify. Hot light bled through the diamond floor, walls and ceiling and flickered, but to the right and left were long halls that could easily fit two Fortress Beetles put together. Behind them was a balcony overlooking all that laid below. Up so high that rain could not reach. But that was due to heat since the air wasn’t the least bit thinner. It seemed Demon World had different rules of physics. Not too many, but enough to tell. Even so high, gravity was practically the same as it was on Earth. The heat coming from the king’s private audience chamber burned all the clouds off, but didn’t scald or burn anything else.

  But then something happened.

  Some deep down instinct triggered a deadly reaction. Ethan could smell another like himself and territory would be fought for. The primal side awakened and took over. A raw instinct that let the inner beast loose and caged the man.

  To the winner go the spoils.

  An explosion shook the entire palace and grounds with more violence than the king’s stomach. Great silver light suddenly bathed much of the king’s territories as fire spewed out the balcony opening of the anteroom, down the many halls and open doors till every facet within the palace burned just like a silver star. Jets of flame spewed out every crack and opening till the Diamond Palace truly looked a newborn star sitting on the ground or a far away horizon. And to top it off was the roar that deafened everything. Fortunately the flames didn’t even singe or destroy a single thing or being, but those nearest were hit by a shockwave generated by his explosive output and roar to be thrown against the wall and couldn’t free themselves. It was as if glue held everyone near to the wall.

  One target was locked onto. One.

  Blood would evaporate and flesh would become ash.

  The inner chamber doors burst open and purple met silver. An immovable object met an unstoppable force.

  Demon World trembled.

  Ethan’s wings spread and he went to attack, until a booming baritone and snarl laughed “The wrath is strong with you, Boy! Perfect. You’re good, but not good enough to take my throne yet!” A mind more ancient than the word can dare describe seized Ethan’s and took over his body, forcing all the muscles to lock in place. A puppet had been made of him. “Use the wrath, Boy! Don’t let it use you or I’ll kill you like I did countless others of our race!”

  Ethan snarled like some rabid beast, body quivering to retake control just to pummel and dominate the one other male who was a threat.

  Destroy. Rip. Dominate! That is what instinct demanded.

  One lovingly calm word broke through the wrathful instinct. “Darlin’.”

  All at once the red haze vanished as Ethan worried he had hurt his female. The hold on his mind and body released the moment the fire died out. Hooves stumbled. Violet tongues eased back behind the great open doors rather than continue on. Ethan stumbled as he noticed the room of Balam retracting their claws with more suddenly standing around the hallways on either side. Their duty was protecting the King. All that stopped them was one furry hand signaling ‘Hold position.’ He looked to his friends and true love, ashamed beyond words.

  The pause didn’t last long as the voice within the flame rang clear and resonated through the whole body like high-end speakers. “Not bad, Woman. I knew you’ll do. You saved him from losing himself to his own wrath the moment he caught my scent. I want you and him to come in alone.

  “The rest of you, wait in there.”

  “Not withou…”

  The light tone lowered. “Your companions have my word no harm will come unless they first threaten my guards. Until I’m through with you, they will remain in the same condition. Now get your ass in here, Boy. You too, Woman!”

  Kira’s entirely green eyes closed as she tried regaining control of herself and went to touch Kanade till long white claws blocked. The Six glowered and dared her to touch. Kanade smiled and nodded thanks as they mentally contacted each other and communicated all was well. Kira thought “We haven’t been attacked yet. If he didn’t want us here his guards would have been plenty capable of stopping us at the gate.” To the rest of the team Kira used her natural voice. “Let’s go look over the balcony why we wait lads. I do not know about you, but I’m itching to try out all the new spells I learned.”

  Last to follow were Reevy and Blade, energy blades burning blue in their claws, walking backwards in event of assassination. They went unmolested to the five mile wide balcony and overlooked a great distance below.

  Panther and his mistresses guided Kanade to a point where they turned their back on the double doors and held position, blocking further access. Despite how wide and tall the opening was compared to their grasshopper proportions to an open door, the seven of them could effortlessly defend it.

  “Darlin’? Are you…”

  “Stay close to me.” He quickly cut her off and took her hand. “Ah, that’s better. My temples are throbbing and my hearts are pumping like a drummer hitting bongos. I didn’t like losing control one bit.”

  “Neither did I.” She said soothingly and gave a squeeze of their joined hands. “Your reaction thrust me out and I couldn’t reconnect. I’m glad your fire magnifies voices and mine cut through. Just let me sooth you so it doesn’t happen again.”

  “It took me over without warning… Thank you too, Zagan.” Rumbled an embarrassed Ethan as they walked right into the flames without fear. Kanade’s heels on the hard surface echoed with a ‘click, click’.

  Lavender tongues filled the entirety of the king’s audience chambers. Sensing all things fire-related Ethan could tell the room empty except from one living person. Behind, the diamond doors closed with a resounding crystalline ‘Boom!’. Closed by a spell keyed to a particular snap of the king’s fingers. The room couldn’t be seen by the eye, only exterior senses. It was possible to fit twenty Mount Everest’s inside with room to spare. No other doors, windows or cracks to allow air or flame stayed in the expanse. A single freestanding throne sat towards the back with a lush forest and lakes behind it to offer air so it wasn’t stale.

  But as Ethan sensed the source of the flame his body froze for an entirely different reason. Words could not remotely describe what the fire showed. It even froze the mind. He swallowed what felt like his own swollen tongue.

  The voice floated everywhere from the tongues. “I see it is no use hiding in my fire. Your movements tell much. Surprised, Boy?” a voice using Blood Speak

  “Is it a curse?” he responded in the first true language that ran through only the most ancient bloodlines veins. Only Ethan didn’t realize it as it was as natural as speaking English. Becoming a full Ifrit got rid of the warmth he learned to feel to know of the difference.

  “In a manner of speaking.” Zagan responded vaguely. “Fly to me so I may look upon you with my own two eyes at last.”

  Abruptly the blinding color vanished and the room darkened. Ribbons of light from the dancing sky filtered in and bathed the empty space with a wondrous and eerie quality as it played off the unique material the palace wa
s constructed of. The only difference was far away.

  Kanade didn’t need to ask what he saw. She was relying on him as soon as she stepped into the fire. It startled her, but not as much as him.

  Wings lifted and together they jumped and flew off into the room’s belly. Since there wasn’t much to see, it didn’t require one to figuratively stop and smell the roses. This hall was designed to protect the King. Everything before the throne was barren, allowing not a single place for an assassin to hide in event of somehow avoiding the elite Demon guards.

  The air felt good over the wings as they didn’t waste time, especially one with a temper just like Ethan’s. And it was never wise to keep a king waiting.

  Both forever and too soon the two of them landed before the throne. The fire didn’t do justice to what Ethan’s eyes now noticed in stark detail.

  Zagan sat hunched in his throne regally, arms out and resting on a materialized violet sword made of a mix of demon magic and his own fire. It stood upright between hooves that lost their natural onyx luster. But his condition was spine chilling. He was emaciated to the point that skin hugged bone with not a single sign of muscle left. He came across like a pale, hydrated mummy without any bandages. Brushed leg and chest fur was shock white or ash as if old age had come upon the immortal demon. The abdomen was shrunken and moved like worms writhing beneath the earth and gurgled with constant hunger. Starvation. Ribs stood out. Great wings stayed folded, paper thin and wrinkled. A long, spade-tipped tail lay over his lap and also the individual tailbone vertebrae stood pronounced. It’s redness sat pale, lifeless. His horns were identical to Ethan’s, but were gray and cracked. Like the fur, long hair was also gray and ashy. Skin clung and hung to a skull with hollow socket and a long beard seemed difficult to not drag the skin down.

  But it paled as vibrant eyes still seemed full of life, cruel mirth and a calculating mind. It were those eyes that said ‘My body might be failing, but I’ll still kick your ass eight ways to Sunday.’